Aminoglycosides and 3,4-diaminopyridine on neuromuscular block caused by botulinum type A toxin

Impulse-evoked transmitter release was greatly reduced at frog neuromuscular junctions 3-20 days after botulinum type A toxin (BoTx) poisoning. The reduction in transmitter release was accompanied by an increased variability in the latency between the presynaptic spike and the release of transmitter. The aminoglycoside antibiotics amikacin, gentamycin, and bekanamycin, when applied at concentrations within their therapeutic levels, markedly enhanced the blockade of transmitter release in BoTx-poisoned junctions. 3,4-diaminopyridine strongly antagonized the effects of BoTx at early stages of poisoning, and the combined presynaptic effects of BoTx and aminoglycoside antibiotics provided that transmitter release was not completely blocked by the toxin. The antagonism was apparent at all frequencies of stimulation. Since the aminoglycoside antibiotics enhanced the neuromuscular block caused by BoTx, these drugs should be avoided in patients suspected of poisoning by this toxin.